KILDARE, Ireland - In a shocking incident being linked to the ongoing feud between the Kinahan and Hutch gangs, a man was shot dead in Co Kildare on Thursday night.

In the incident, the 50-year-old man identified as Clive Staunton was shot twice in the head and died on the spot in Leixlip.

Speaking to reporters on Friday morning, Gardai investigators in Co Kildare confirmed that the man was shot dead in a gun attack.

Investigators revealed that the victim was shot outside his house on Glen Easton Way in Leixlip at around 9.15 pm, just as he was walking into his home.

Officials said that the man was treated on the scene by emergency teams that rushed to the spot, but did not survive the shooting and was pronounced dead a short while later.

A Garda spokesman said, "The scene is sealed off pending the arrival of Garda Crime Scene Examiners."

Adding that the office of the State Pathologist had been notified and the victim's body remained at the scene.

Gardai added that investigations were ongoing around the Glen Easton estate.

Further, the Glen Easton Residents Association took to social media to call on locals to report any suspicious vehicles to the authorities.

The association wrote in a post, As always, residents.. please.. if anyone notices any suspicious vans/cars acting suspicious around the area, note the ref number and pass on to Leixlip Gardai 01-6667800.

Gangland feud suspected

Later on Friday, investigators revealed that the victim of the shootout had family links to Gerry The Monk Hutch, indicating that the incident was related to the vicious gangland feud.

Originally from Dublin's north inner city, the victim had reportedly lived at Glen Easton Way with his family for over two decades and worked as a street trader.

Hours before being blasted in the head on Thursday night, Staunton reportedly watched the friendly soccer match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

He was shot dead while walking to his home at around 9.15 pm and Gardai have stated that they suspect the "killer or killers were waiting for him and escaped after the murder in a white car."

Gardai detectives reportedly believe that Staunton was targeted by the Kinahan crime gang since he is a distant relative of the Hutch family but clarified that the victim was not involved in criminality.

If Staunton's murder links to the gangland feud are confirmed, then he would become the 19th victim of the ongoing bloody feud between the Hutch and Kinahan gangs.

Further, sources have indicated that it would likely cause increased tensions in the inner city.